“Nick, please take my hand I’m having another contraction.”
Without hesitation Nick allowed Summer to wrap her tiny hand as best she could around his large hand as she squeezed with all her might as the contraction consumed her.
Before Starr came back Summer had several more contractions. Nick held her hand as she squeezed and breathed her way through each contraction. He couldn’t believe how powerful her grip was for such a tiny woman.
Each time Nick watched Summer suffer through the pain guilt jabbed at him starting with the day he ended their relationship, up until the night a few days ago he’d left her standing alone crying in his living room.
Nick wished he could take on the pain for Summer. It didn’t seem fair her tiny body had to endure so much discomfort. He was amazed at her strength and determination not to take drugs for the pain. He too had tried to convince her to take “a little something.” Nick was relieved when Starr returned from her dinner break. Summer got through the contractions much better with Starr coaching her using the breathing exercises they’d learned during childbirth classes.
Summer was becoming more and more frustrated with how long it was taking for her cervix to dilate that last centimeter. Nick and Starr were both startled when she burst out into tears. “I can’t take this anymore! This hurrrrts too much! I just wanna diiiiie!” Summer screamed as she was hit with searing pain.
“Come on, Boo, you can do this. You made it this far,” Starr soothingly coaxed her.
Shaking her head back and forth, Summer cried, “No… no… I can’t… I can’t …take this anymore.”
“Yes, you can baby. Starr’s right, you can do this.” Nick told her as he rubbed her lower back.
Something suddenly snapped inside of Summer, as if possessed by an evil force. Neither Nick nor Starr saw it coming. Summer’s very soft genteel feminine voice dropped a few octaves, coming out in a deep tenor as she turned on Nick.
“Don’t touch me! Get your hands off me! This is your entire fault, Nick! All your fault! You did this to me!”
Nick continued to rub her lower back. He didn’t allow her outburst to shake him. “I know baby. You’re right, it is my fault.” Nick validated Summer’s verbal attack in a soothing voice as he continued to rub her.
This seemed to calm her temporarily as she collapsed against the pillows trapping Nick’s hand. Gingerly, he pulled his hand out as he looked at Starr, his eyes questioning, “What now?”
Reading the message in his eyes, Starr said, “I’ll be right back. I’m going to get Dr. Neil to come back in here and check you Summer.”
“Thanks Starr.” Summer grimaced in pain. Helplessness overwhelmed Nick, as he didn’t know what to do to comfort her. Daily he handled multi-million dollar business transactions, yet when it came to comforting the woman giving birth to his child, he was clueless. He felt like a fish out of water thrashing back and forth.
With all of his resources, there was nothing he possessed that would help to ease her agonizing pain. No amount of materialism he own could comfort her. Only the delivery of the tiny life in her womb would erase the torturous contractions wrecking havoc on her exhausted body.
Nick tenderly wiped at her damp brow with a cool washcloth. “Summer, is there anything I can do for you? Just tell me and I’ll do it.”
Summer looked at Nick, tears spilling from her eyes, her voice cracking as she softly spoke. “I only wanted you to love me Nick. To love me how I’m loving you right now.”
The wind was knocked out of him as if a three hundred pound linebacker had tackled him to the ground. Immediate revelation floored him, as he finally comprehended the breadth of Summer’s love. She had loved him so severely she refused to snuff the life out of what may be the very best of him. She had made a heart decision to nurture, to care for, and to love a baby that was the very essence, the very nucleus of him. A baby I didn’t want.
The lump forming in his throat threatened to cut the air supply to his lungs. “Summer, baby −”
A blood-curdling scream likened to a wounded animal cut his words off. The scream brought Dr. Neil, Starr and two nurses running into the room. Quickly washing his hands, Dr. Neil snatched a pair of latex gloves from a box, donning them, he examined Summer. “The cervix is measuring at ten centimeters and a hundred percent effaced. Okay, Miss Summer, you’re ready to start pushing.”
“Thank you Jesus.” Those were the sweetest words Summer ever heard in her life.
Removing the gloves, Dr. Neil left the room to scrub and dress for the delivery. As the doctor was preparing himself, the two nurses efficiently and quickly transformed the ordinary hospital bed into a birthing bed. Just as the nurses were placing Summer into the birthing position with her feet in the stirrups, the doctor backed through the door careful not to touch anything as he took his place at the end of the bed on a stool between Summer’s open legs.
“Summer, I’m going to massage a little mineral oil onto your perineum to help stretch it, hopefully preventing you from tearing as you push the baby out.”
Summer nodded her head. She didn’t care if he used a tub of Crisco as long as he got this darn baby out of her. Placing a hand on her belly, Dr. Neil instructed, “Summer, with the next contraction you can push.”
No sooner than the doctor gave the command, a contraction reared its ugly head prompting Summer to grab Nick’s hand as he stood at her side.
Taking a deep breath, squeezing her eyes shut, Summer pushed. “Ahhhhhhhhh.”
“Come on that’s it, push… push…push.” Starr coached until the contraction ended. “Okay Summer, relax and breathe.”
This cycle went on for thirty minutes until Dr. Neil told Summer to stop pushing.
“Summer, the baby’s head is beginning to crown. I’m going to inject a little lidocaine into your perineum just in case you do tear you won’t feel a thing.”
Summer winced as she felt the prick of the needle and burning from the medication. Relief washed over her as the burning quickly faded into a numbing sensation. “With the next contraction, I want you to give a big push, okay?”
Summer gave a weak nod. Never again, never again, is what she chanted in her head as she waited for the next contraction. Upon the decent of the contraction, Summer squeezed her eyes shut and pushed with all her might. “Ahhhhhhhh! Come on bayybee!”
The excitement and exhilaration of delivering a baby came in waves over Dr. Neil. Every time he assisted in bringing a new life into the world it was just as thrilling as his first delivery twenty-five years ago as a young intern. He excitedly cheered her on. “Come on, Summer… Push! …Push! …That’s it! …That’s it! …Push! …Push! This baby has wide shoulders. Push!. . . Push!”
Summer pushed to the point of exhaustion. Relief came with a final push as the warm solid mass slipped from her body.
“It’s a boy! You have a baby boy! Congratulations!” Dr. Neil sang as he guided the tiny, squirming infant from its mother’s birth canal.
Summer eagerly reached for her baby before the doctor could fully wrap, let alone wipe off the birthing residue and clamp the umbilical cord. Once the baby was within her embrace Summer collapsed against the pillows. His tiny body felt so warm as she hugged him close. Summer didn’t want to give her son up to the pediatrician to perform his examination of the infant. She hadn’t held him long enough and missed him as soon as the nurse removed him from her arms. Summer patiently waited for her son as Dr. Neil delivered the placenta and sutured her lacerations.
Nick glimpsed at the clock on the wall in the birthing suite. It was 1:45 am, February 14. The entire experience for Nick was surreal from the moment he stepped into the birthing suite. Though he and Summer had issues to resolve, he gained a newfound respect and admiration for her. She was determined to take this journey alone if necessary. The desire to work things out between Summer and himself became a burning obsession as he watched mother and son.
After the pediatrician examined the baby, the nurse thorough
ly cleaned, weighed and dressed him. Starr used this time to say her goodbyes so that mother, father and baby could have their privacy. Wrapping the baby in a receiving blanket the nurse placed the tiny bundle in Summer’s arms. “If you want you can nurse him now.”
“Okay, I will. I just want to look at him first.”
A mixture of excitement and exhaustion plagued Summer when the baby was placed on her abdomen directly after delivery. His features were barely noticeable as he was covered in birthing residue and slightly purple from making the exchange from maternal oxygenation to breathing on his own.
Laying the infant on her lap she slowly loosened the snug blanket from his tiny body. Summer studied his tiny face. He must have known his mommy was looking at him as he stretched with tiny fist balled up, yawned, then gradually opened a pair of tiny eyes that immediately locked with hers. Summer’s breath caught, the tiny pair of eyes was identical to his father’s. A faint smile curved her lips as she further inspected his little face. He had the cutest nose and lips. Lifting her hand she caressed the locks of silky dark curls. With care, rubbing the silky strains between her fingers she noted the texture was like hers. Delicately as if he was a porcelain doll she touched his hands and his feet making sure there were ten fingers and ten toes.
In slow motion she brought her head down as she lifted a tiny foot kissing its sole. The baby was light in complexion. However, closer inspection revealed ears that were the same rich chestnut coloring as Nick’s complexion.
Perfect. Her baby was perfect. Wrapping the infant up she was so happy she hadn’t succumbed to the aid of pain medication. The infant was alert and wide awake. Summer was so caught up in her bundle of joy she’d almost forgot Nick was in the room. Looking at him for the first time in days their eyes locked and held. She hadn’t expected to see tenderness in his gaze.
“Do you want to hold your son before I feed him?”
As much as he ached to hold his son in his arms, he declined the offer.
“No, go ahead and feed him first. I’ll hold him later.”
Summer exposed her right breast positioning the baby for feeding. Instinctively the infant opened its mouth, latched on and began nursing. Mother and son affectionately gazed into each other’s eyes, bonding as she gave him life-sustaining nourishment from her body.
Sauntering over to the head of the bed, Nick watched the baby looking into Summer’s face with interest as he suckled her breast. He adores her already. Bending down he feathered a kiss on Summer’s forehead, then leaned in further to kiss the baby’s forehead. Pulling up a chair, he sat as close as possible to them.
“Summer, look at how he’s looking at you. He knows you’re his mother.”
“You think so?”
“Of course he does. He’s so beautiful.”
“Yes, he is. He looks just like you Nick. He has your eyes.”
Peering into the baby’s little face, Nick couldn’t help but to grin.
“Yeah, he does have my eyes.”
“Don’t you think he looks like you?” she quietly asked, praying he would see what she saw. That their son was a complete replica of him.“Most definitely. He does look like his old man.” Nick responded in a quiet thoughtful voice.
Relief washed over Summer. Nick had no doubts that this was his son.
A nurse came barging into the room without a clue she’d interrupted a poignant exchange. “Summer, we’re going to move you upstairs to your room as soon as you finish feeding that handsome little guy.” The nurse’s voice was too animated to be so early in the wee hours of the morning.
“Okay, I think he’s almost done. By the way how much did my baby weigh and how long is he?”
Beaming at Summer, the nurse answered, “Seven pounds nine ounces and he’s twenty-one inches long. He’s a nice size for a first baby.”
“Yes, he is.” Good grief, no wonder I feel like I’ve been dragged behind a herd of elephants.
Removing the baby from her breast, Summer kissed him on the nose before handing him over to the hyperactive nurse. Oh Lord, please don’t let this woman drop my baby.
The nurse secured the baby in her arms as she checked the identification band on Summer’s wrist and then on the baby’s ankle making sure they matched. “I’ll be back to take you up to your room as soon as I take baby boy Jackson to the nursery.”
Nick frowned as the nurse swiftly walked passed him with the infant. Baby boy Jackson?
The instant Summer was settled in her room she requested the baby be brought to her though she was bone tired. It was as if she couldn’t get enough of holding the precious tiny gift. As soon as the nurse placed the baby into her eagerly waiting arms, Summer was filled with an awareness she couldn’t find the words to describe. She found it extremely hard to keep her eyes off the now sleeping newborn. This must be what true love feels like. Though she loved him while he grew day by day in the protectiveness of her womb, seeing him, touching him, nurturing him from her body took on a whole new meaning. It was a love that was pure, unselfish, protective, trusting, giving and never expecting anything in return. It was a mother’s love.
The picture before Nick was breathtaking. Summer and his son was a beautiful pair. Just as she couldn’t keep her eyes off their son, he was having difficulty doing the same. Nick’s heart trembled as Summer looked from the sleeping infant to meet his gaze. She wore the prettiest smile, that of an angel’s.
Summer was aware Nick was staring at her and the baby. His reaction was what she’d hoped and prayed for. Smiling she asked, “Do you want to hold your son now?”
Summer shifted her sore body to make room for Nick to sit. With great ease he sat his large frame down next to her, so close, their bodies touched sending an electrical current surging through his body. Summer’s face blushed with embarrassment. She felt it too. A minute or so passed before either said anything, neither of them wanted to spoil the warmth of the closeness. Summer was the first to speak, breaking the silence.
“Have you ever held a baby before?”
Nick chuckled. “No, never had a reason to before.”
“Well, you better get used to it. I don’t want you to let this little cutie pie slip through your hands.” Summer teased as she instructed Nick on how to support the newborn’s head in the crease of his elbow.
“Don’t you worry your pretty little head about that Miss Summer, I plan on getting plenty of practice.” He countered as he prepared to take the sleeping bundle in his arms.
“Well good for you Mr. Nick.”
Enjoying the easy flowing bantering, Nick started to say something else witty but was silenced after she placed the baby in his arms. His heart began to accelerate as the tiny bundled squirmed. The emotion of fear seized him.
“Summer, you better take him back.”
Summer furrowed her perfectly arched brows. “Why?”
“Because he’s moving, I don’t want to drop him.” Anxiety laced the new father’s voice.
Summer giggled. “Nick, you won’t drop him. He’s probably just trying to wake up again, that’s all.”
“Okay, if you say so.”
Nick relaxed as he peered into the slumbering face identical to his. A son. I have a son. Nick’s chest swelled with pride. This was the most incredible feeling in the world. Suddenly the hollow space in his heart began to fill. A smile tugged at his mouth as he took his attention away from his son to Summer. She had quietly drifted off to sleep. She never looked more beautiful. Nick figured she had to be exhausted. Giving birth had been excruciatingly painful for her as she repeatedly refused medication so their baby wouldn’t be exposed to any unnecessary risks.
A sickening feeling washed over him at the realization that if Summer had tracked him down, telling him she was pregnant, he would not be holding this precious gift in his arms so close to his heart, loving him with everything he was worth. If it were up to him, nine months ago she would have had that abortion. He would have seen to it, even if it meant him dragging her kicki
ng and screaming to the nearest clinic.
Nick hadn’t been to church since his mother’s funeral. He refused to go every time Summer invited him to go with her. He wasn’t much of a praying man either. But he hoped and prayed Summer would find it in her heart to forgive him for the hell he’d put her through, starting with the day he turned his back on her.
Chapter 23
Later that morning, Nick arrived at the hospital with two dozen long stem white roses trimmed in baby blue. Knocking on the door he heard Summer say, “Come in.”
Immediately, he sensed the strain in her voice.
Opening the door, he found her lying on her side staring at the baby as he slept in the clear bassinet.
“How you feeling?” he asked as he laid the roses and his coat on a bedside table before washing his hands at the sink.
Summer’s tone was flat when she responded. “Fine.”
Lifting the sleeping baby from the bassinet, Nick further inquired. “You all right, Summer?”
“The lab technician from BioMed just left.” Enough had been said; he needed no further explanation for her reserved mood.
“I see.” Nick was tested last week, all the lab needed were Summer’s and the baby’s buccal samples. Knowing this was the reason for her mood, he mumbled a curse under his breath. He wasn’t thinking when he innocently told his attorney he was on his way to the hospital because Summer had gone into labor. The business he’d been discussing with the attorney had nothing to do with her or the baby. Nick had no idea the lawyer would contact the independent lab before he had a chance to tell him he’d changed his mind about the paternity test and filing for custody.
“Summer, we need to talk.”
He wanted to tell her he didn’t need a test to prove the baby he held in his arms was indeed, unquestionably his. He wanted her to know she didn’t have to worry about the threats he slung her way in anger.“Nick, I’m tired. I don’t feel like talking.”
Not now or ever, she wanted to say. Summer was devastated when the lab tech showed up eight that morning. Well, dag-gone it! Couldn’t he at least wait until I could see straight? It had been barely six hours since she had given birth.
A Special Summer (Love Conquers All) Page 16